One Day At Badlands National Park

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Badlands National Park in South Dakota is otherwordly. It’s not like anywhere else you’ve ever been but in a very cool way. For fellow National Park enthusiasts, Badlands is a must visit. If you love a good sunrise, awesome rock formations, bison, and bighorn sheep, you will love Badlands. There is a lot of ground to cover in this National Park and it is recommended that you spend at least 3 days here. However, if you are a little short on time on your trip here are some ideas for spending just One Day in Badlands National Park. 

The Basics: Badlands National Park

Where Is Badlands National Park?

Badlands National Park is in the south west corner of South Dakota near the Black Hills. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. 

Should You Visit Badlands National Park? – 

Do you like beautiful sunrises? How about magical landscapes? Or gorgeous sunsets? Perhaps you like bighorn sheep, bison, or prairie dogs?

Yes!! A resounding, yes! I’d got as far as to say that Badlands National Park is a can’t miss destination on any western roadtrip. This park is highly underrated and unlike any other place, I’ve ever been. 

Check Out: South Dakota Bucketlist: The Top 16 Things To Do In South Dakota

Getting to Badlands National Park – 

There are technically 2 different areas that comprise Badlands National Park – 

• The North Unit which features Badlands Loop Road and the Sage Creek Rim Road 
• The South Unit has no direct roads that go through the park. But you can visit this part of the park by driving up Sheep Mountain Table or taking the scenic drive around this unit. 

Air –

You’ve only really got one choice that is remotely close to Badlands National Park – Rapid City Regional Airport. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, 61 miles by car to Badlands, it’s a really small airport and that will cost you. But if convenience is more important then it’s definitely an option.

Roadtrip –

I highly recommend roadtripping through South Dakota. There is so much to see and the best way to do that is with an epic roadtrip!

If you are planning a roadtrip through South Dakota then don’t miss my Top 16 Things To Do In South Dakota and 14 Fun Things To Do In Deadwood, SD

Entrances: 

• Northeast Entrance (I-90, Exit 131): 21020 SD Hwy 240, Interior, SD 57750
• Pinnacles Entrance (I-90, Exit 110): 24240 Hwy 240, Wall, SD 57790
• Interior Entrance: 20640 SD Hwy 377, Interior, SD 57750

Visitor Centers: 

• Ben Reifel Visitor Center – 9 am to 4 pm 
• White River Visitor Center – Currently Closed due to COVID-19 because it is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation

Staying Near Badlands – 

Front Country Camping: There are several camping options within the park.

• Cedar Pass Campground
• Sage Creek Campground 
• Find out more here.

Backcountry Camping: is also an option here but it is not pet friendly. Permits are required, find out more here.

Hotels: Wall is the closest town to the park and there are exactly 3 hotels, the best reviews are for the Best Western. Unfortunately, none of the hotels in Wall are pet-friendly. 

Airbnb: There are also several options in the Wall area. I waited too long to book any of them and that’s why I ended up in Rapid City for the night! Here are a few I had my eye on…

1880 Homestead Cabin

The Cabin at Triangle Ranch

Know Before You Go:

• You will need to pay an entrance fee at Badlands National Park. Entrance passes are good for 7 days.
  • Private Vehicle: $30
  • Motorcycles: $25
  • Individual (Hiking, Bicycles): $15
  • Annual Pass: $55
  • America The Beautiful Pass: $80
• Check out the sunrise and sunset times before entering the park because the cellphone signal is spotty.

• Get an early start if you can.

• While I do think this park is underrated it is also incredibly busy.

• If you can book accommodations I would recommend staying closer to Wall if you have multiple days at the park.

One Day At Badlands National Park 

Grab Breakfast On The Go

Start your day by grabbing a quick breakfast on the way to the Park – I drove from Sioux Falls to Badlands and grabbed a quick breakfast at Caribou Coffee and Einstein Brothers Bagels. 

Enter Through North East Entrance

Enter the park through the North East Entrance that’s right off of I-90, exit 131. It’s a great place to start your experience in Badlands. Don’t forget to stop and take a pic with the Badlands National Park sign!

Hop Onto Badlands Loop Road

Take in a Sunrise

Sunrises at Badlands National Park are worth the early wake up (you know I think sunrise always is haha). There are some great places to take in a sunrise at Badlands some of the best are:

• Panorama Point
• Big Badlands Overlook
• Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

Check Out: Is Badlands National Park Dog Friendly?

Take A Hike Early

Depending on what time of year you visit Badlands National Park, hiking early in the morning is the best time. Not only are the trails less crowded, but the temperatures are a little more enjoyable during the summer. Choose an easy trail to stretch your legs while it’s still early in the day – the easiest from the North East Entrance would be Cliff Shelf or Notch Trail.

Cliff Shelf Trail – 

• Rated: Easy 
• Miles: .5 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 65 ft

Notch Trail – 

• Rated: Moderate
• Miles: 1.3 
• Elevation Gain: 131 ft

Tip: Kill two birds with one stone and head to Cliff Shelf Nature Trail for both sunrise and an easy mile hike. 

Visit Ben Reifel Visitor Center

Pop into this visitor center for a little history and maybe a few Bandlands souvenirs! This visitor center features exhibits, an air-conditioned theater, and restroom facilities. The visitor center also had a little gift shop where you can get stickers, books, ornaments, and other small souvenirs.

Lunch Break (If You Need It)

If you need a lunch break – you can head to Wall for lunch. Wall is a small town centered around Wall Drug. Think beach town but instead of shell necklaces – bison goods. 

Wall Drug Café  – 

• Where: 510 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790
• Hours: 8 am – 5:15 pm
• Cost: $$
• Find Out More Here

Tip – If you want to stay in the park for the entire day, maybe grab a light lunch before entering. Something you can snack on after your hike, think energy bar, granola, trail mix, etc. 

Jump Back On Badlands Loop Road

Your park pass is good for 7 days so if you did head to Wall for lunch, reenter the park and jump back on the Badlands Loop Road.

You Can’t Skip Sage Creek Rim Road

Whatever you do, DO NOT skip the Sage Creek Rim Road, it’s the best place for wildlife viewing in Badlands National Park.

What can you see on Sage Creek Rim Road?

• Bighorn Sheep
• Bison
• Prairie Dogs
• Coyotes

Wildlife Viewing Distances:

• Bison – 25 feet 
• Bighorn Sheep – Bighorn sheep are sensitive to human disturbance, please help in protecting the sheep by viewing from a distance.
• Prairie Dogs – Please do not attempt to touch or pet the prairie dogs. These animals can bite and many of them still carry the plague. For your health and for prairie dog health, please respect the prairie dog towns.
• Coyotes are relatively skittish and will run if they see anything BUT stay at least 30 yards away.

Suggested Wildlife Viewing Gear:

• Binoculars
• Spotting Scope
• Telephotos Lens

Tip: This is a dirt/gravel road and can be rough during or after storms! Follow the posted speed limit here because there are places where the road is graded and you will regret trying to drive fast! haha

Get Up Close To Prairie Dogs

Get close and personal with prairie dogs at Robert’s Prairie Dog Town on Sage Creek Rim Road. But don’t get too close because these cute little guys can carry the plague!! 

Sunset At An Overlook

If you have the time, don’t miss the sunset at one of the epic Badlands overlooks.

Some of the best sunsets views can be found at:

• Panorama Point is touted as having the best sunset views
• Pinnacles
• Conata
• Hay Butte

Dinner At Wall Drug (If You Skipped Lunch)

On your way out of town if you didn’t stop at Wall for lunch then at least stop to check out Wall Drug. If you drove through South Dakota, you undoubtedly saw about a million billboards with all that Wall Drug has to offer. It’s one of those kitschy tourist trap kind of places, which you either find fun or horrible. If you are in the latter group then maybe skip Wall Drug!

Personal Experience:

When I finished my day at Badlands National Park, I grabbed a hotel in Rapid City and got dinner at Sickies Burgers, which was delicious. I can recommend the Jameson burger and the tater kegs, yum! 

Sips & Eats Guide

Wall – 

Wall Drug Café  – 

• Where: 510 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790
• Hours: 8 am – 5:15 pm
• Cost: $$
• Find Out More Here

Badlands Saloon and Grill – 

• Where: 509 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790 
• Hours: 7 pm – 2 am 
• Cost: $$
• Find Menu Here

Rapid City – 

Firehouse Brewing Co – 

• Where: 610 Main Street, Rapid City, SD 57701 
• Hours: Sun – Thurs 11 am – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 11 am – 12 pm 
• Cost: $$
• Find Menu Here

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews – 

• Where: 3313 E Mall Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701 
• Hours: 11 am – 12 am 
• Cost: $$
• Find Menu Here

A Little History – 

The area that is now the Badlands was likely the temporary camp for traveling humans, and archeologists discovered sites that are over 12,000 years old to back that statement up. These sites contain clues such as scorched rock and charcoal, bison bones, worked stones, and even pottery. To date, there hasn’t been any evidence of permanent habitation that early. 

But what’s in a name? Honestly, the name is a tribute to the people that lived in the Badlands before it was even a national park. For hundreds of years, the Oglala Lakota people have called the rocky, harsh landscape mako sica, which translates to “bad land.”

The early French fur trappers wholeheartedly agreed when they arrived, calling it les mauvaises terres a traverser, or “bad lands to traverse.” I found myself saying, can you imagine traveling here on foot or by wagon? It’s really no wonder this place was considered “bad”. 

Badlands Tribes

There are many tribes associated with the Badlands but the most prominent is the Oglala Sioux and the Sioux in general. These lands were also the home to the Crow, Blackfeet, Northern Cheyenne, and the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation. 

To read more about the Native American’s who called the Badlands home check out my Sioux Nation: History Nugget.

Fun Fact: The first suggested name for this NP was Wonderland National Park, my Alice In Wonderland loving self just swooned. 

Badlands National Park was established in January of 1939. 

Find out more here.  

Mapping Out One Day At Badlands National Park:

No matter how much time you have to spend in the Park, it’s worth stopping at this phenomenal geological wonder. Whatever you do, don’t skip Badlands National Park, even if you can only spend one day in the park. Have you been to Badlands National Park? How many days did you spend in the park?

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